SCIENCE

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SCIENCE

• Asking questions and seeking answers is natural.
• Testing these explanations makes it more
  difficult
• But also makes them more accurate
  (self-correcting).

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The wheel of science (Bacon)
INDUCTION
DEDUCTION
Theory
Generalization
Hypothesis
Observation
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Theory versus Observation
Observation (Variables)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Theory (Concepts)
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Another model of theory and observation
Theory
Theory
Theory
Observation
Observation
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From abstract to empirical
Concept B Attendance
Concept A Punishment
Theoretical
ABSTRACT
Increases attendance by 50
Yelling at students
EMPIRICAL
Observable
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Applied versus theoretical research

• Applied research
• Examines only observational (concrete) variables
• Theoretical research
• Examines abstract conceptual causes and outcomes
  by observing relationships between observational
  variables.
• Tries to develop a broad theoretical
  understanding.

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Concepts versus variables
Concept
Concept
Concept
Variable
Variable
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Concepts versus variables

• CONCEPT (initial)
• Poking
• VARIABLE
• poke with a pen
• CONCEPT (revised)
• Annoying
• VARIABLE
• stupid jokes

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SCIENTIFIC THEORIES

• Statements of how one thing causes another,
• usually involving TESTABLE hypotheses
• EXAMPLE
• Poking my boss with a pen will make him fire me.
• CAUSE
• Poking my boss with a pen
• OUTCOME
• Getting fired

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THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

• Whats GOOD about this method?
• PURPOSIVE
• RIGOROUS
• TESTABLE
• OBJECTIVE
• FALSIFYABLE

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Falsification (Popper)

• Make a Prediction
• Establish Ground Rules
• Gather Data
• Compare Results to Predictions
• If consistent, you are right
• If not, you are wrong FALSE!

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A Good Hypothesis is

• Precise
• Specifies variables to measure
• Specifies the relationships between the variables

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Hypothesis 1

• Students spend too much money on fast food.
• Good?
• Why or Why not?

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Hypothesis 2

• Students spend a higher proportion of their
  income on fast food than the general population
  does.
• Good?
• Why or Why not?

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Advances in Science (Kuhn)

• Normal science
• Development and testing of compatible theories
• Paradigm shifts
• Radical re-orientation
• Examples
• Astronomy
• Darwin

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Astronomy Aristotle
The Elements
Earth
Water
Air, Fire
Sun
Stars
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Astronomy Ptomely
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Astronomy Copernicus
Sun
Earth
Kuhns paradigm shift
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Darwin

• Phenomenon Biological diversity
• Former theory
• Successive adaptation
• Evidence
• Different species and specializations
• Darwin
• Evolution
• Natural selection

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CONCLUSION

• Data dont speak for themselves
• Knowing what to look for,
• and how to interpret the findings,
• all rests on THEORY

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The End